While everyone is entitled to their opinions, I try to subscribe to the old adage my mother taught me, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything." Yes, Holyoke has it's share of problems, just like any city. But there are alot of people in Holyoke that are trying to change that. I grew up in the Highlands of Holyoke, moved to Chicopee, and now have lived for 3 years back in Holyoke off of Lyman St with relatively few incidents. and as an fyi I live less than a mile from the mayors new apartment. God Bless and have a wonderful Easter.

While not in walking distance, Stop & Shop is a short drive away, not to mention that the Open Square will soon be starting their weekly farmer's market on Saturdays practically right outside the mayor's door. As far as a pharmacy again the are only a short car ride away.

After 115 years things do need to be reviewed and some things changed. Perhaps the changes were too many at one time for the majority of people to understand. I know myself I did not get the pamphlet about the changes in the charter until a few days before the election and did not really have time to review it like I would have wanted too.

I can understand how this system would be beneficial if you are still in the planning stages of a trip but once you are on the road that is another story. How would a driver already on the road access the system? Is there going to be a special radio station continually broadcasting updates? After all if you are driving you can't access a video link can you?

I use this bridge every day to and from work. I already detour because of the work on the Lyman St bridges over the canals but that is not the reason for my post. My question is for those of you who advocate building a new bridge. Where would you put? There are businesses on both sides of the bridge as well as a rail bridge to take into account. This is a question I have been pondering for a long time.

Why must there always be people that are willing to demean something that has a significant meaning to others. If seeing the image of the Blessed Virgin in an office window gave people a feeling of peace and comfort at a time when they needed it I say leave them alone. They aren't hurting anyone while the comments of others can be extremely hurtful.